Parkview Square Sculpture Walk – Singapore’s Hidden Open-Air Museum in the CBD

Step into the Parkview Square precinct near Bugis and Rochor, and you might think you’ve wandered onto the set of Gotham City. With its towering Art Deco architecture, gilded fixtures, and dramatic granite surfaces, Parkview Square is already a visual marvel. But walk its wide plaza and manicured edges, and you’ll discover something even more unexpected: a diverse collection of public sculptures, forming an outdoor art gallery in the heart of Singapore.

This open plaza seamlessly combines modern commercial space with timeless bronze, stone, and steel artworks, curated from artists around the world.


🏛 The Setting – Parkview Square and the Sculpture Courtyard

Located on North Bridge Road, Parkview Square is often recognized for its Art Deco-inspired façade, designed by James Adams Design in collaboration with DP Architects. Completed in 2002, the building is home to embassies, offices, and the lavish Atlas Bar, but its most photogenic feature is its open plaza ringed with sculptures.

This collection combines realism, surrealism, symbolism, and abstraction, celebrating creativity and the human form.


🗿 Highlights of the Sculpture Trail

Here are some of the most distinctive sculptures and features you’ll find in the area:


1. Fat Lady with a Book

A plump, almost caricature-like woman holding a book, possibly a nod to knowledge, femininity, or literary power, standing confidently outside one of the entrances. This whimsical piece brings warmth to an otherwise stern architectural setting.

ParkView Square Sculpture - Singapore
ParkView Square Sculpture - Singapore



2. Golden Bird in Flight

A soaring bird with gold-tipped wings mounted on a sleek black base, a metaphor for ambition, freedom, and aspiration. Its upward thrust makes it a favorite among photographers, especially with modern skyscrapers in the backdrop.

ParkView Square Sculpture - Singapore
ParkView Square Sculpture - Singapore




3. Snail Woman Hybrid

A surrealist piece showing a human face emerging from the body of a snail; this sculpture plays with themes of time, transformation, and metamorphosis, offering a contemplative moment for passersby.

ParkView Square Sculpture - Singapore
ParkView Square Sculpture - Singapore




4. Human Climber Emerging from a Shell

This dynamic sculpture portrays a headless human figure climbing out of a shell. It appears to represent rebirth, emergence, or liberation from constraints, a compelling symbol for any modern cityscape.

ParkView Square Sculpture - Singapore
ParkView Square Sculpture - Singapore


5. Tall Golden Winged Figure

Another soaring golden sculpture shaped like abstract wings or open arms, pointing skyward. It evokes transcendence, faith, and limitless growth.

ParkView Square Sculpture - Singapore
ParkView Square Sculpture - Singapore



6. Red-Clad Human Pyramid

This modernist stack of red figures, standing atop each other with gilded faces, could be interpreted as a visual metaphor for collaboration, hierarchy, or generational progress. Its rough, rustic texture stands out against the geometric plaza.


7. Cage and Figures Installation

Several humanoid statues circle a cage-like structure, suggesting commentary on freedom vs entrapment, societal roles, or human introspection. This installation is both spatially engaging and symbolically dense.


8. Atlas Sculptures Holding a Bowl

On the rooftop parapets, large bronze Atlas-like figures appear to carry massive decorative bowls. These pieces merge classical mythology with modern function, adding grandeur to the skyline view.


9. Torch-Like Pedestals and Stone Reliefs

Lining the plaza are art deco-style torches and bronze relief panels, which further enhance the narrative and ornamental cohesion of the entire space.


📍 Visitor Information

  • Location: Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188778

  • Nearest MRT Stations: Bugis (East-West / Downtown Line) – Exit D

  • Entry Fee: Free (open public plaza)

  • Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon for better lighting and shadows

  • Nearby Attractions: Atlas Bar (inside Parkview), Kampong Glam, Malay Heritage Centre, Masjid Sultan



Singapore is no stranger to public art, but Parkview Square stands out as a curated sculpture park hidden in plain sight. For heritage lovers, art enthusiasts, and curious explorers, this plaza offers a rare chance to enjoy global artistic voices without stepping into a gallery.

Come for the architecture, stay for the stories sculpted in bronze and stone.

Happy travelling.


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